Resource Connections of Oregon (RCO) was initially developed in October 1998. The primary purpose was providing administrative support for individuals with disabilities and families of people with disabilities pursuing a course of self-directed supports to improve or build their lives. This includes assisting people with disabilities and their families in employing the paid direct support staff required to meet their needs.
The genesis of RCO can be found in the general movement toward self-determination for persons with developmental disabilities. This includes the more recent local planning activities to develop a Self-Directed Support program in each Oregon county.
In researching the concept of self-determination and the issues related to the goal of developing new delivery systems to implement this concept, it became clear that the creation of new types of organizations would be necessary. Thomas Nerney and Donald Shumway, of the National Program Office on Self-Determination, make this point very clear in their fundamental writings on self-determination. They also stress the absolute importance of having organizations to perform fiscal intermediary functions on behalf of people with disabilities and their families. These fiscal intermediary organizations must also be prepared to assist in the functions related to employing paid direct support staff, done in a way that keeps control in the hands of individuals with disabilities or their families.
The development of RCO is a direct result of need for fiscal intermediary organizations to help further the concept of self-determination and the development of self-directed supports on behalf of people with disabilities and their families.
In 2001, RCO expanded to include full service brokerage supports as defined in the Staley Lawsuit Settlement.
RCO Brokerage Services
What can you expect?You will meet a Personal Agent who will make sure you know what your rights and responsibilities are.
You will be referred to as our “Customer.” Everything is about you and for you.
In the first 90 days, your Personal Agent will get to know you and what supports you need. They will meet with you and anyone else you want to include.
You will be eligible for a specific budget for supports.
Your Personal Agent will help you write a Person Centered Plan (a plan that is all about you and what you need in order to do what you want to do).
Your Personal Agent will work with you to set up your supports and make sure that your plan is working for you.
•Community Inclusion
•Community Living Supports
•Supported Employment
•Respite Care
•Non-Medical Transportation
•Environmental Accessibility Adaptations
•Personal Emergency Response Services
•Occupational Therapy
•Physical Therapy
•Speech, Hearing and Language Services
•Specialized Supports
•Family Training
•Specialized Medical Equipment and Supplies
•Specialized Diet
•Homemaker
•Chore Services
The Staley Settlement was in response to a lawsuit filed on behalf of five individuals with developmental disabilities who were eligible for federal/state services but not receiving them. They had been on the "wait list" for services; this wait list contained the names of over 4,000 Oregonians: One person had been waiting for 17 years. Many adults with developmental disabilities were not receiving any needed supports and available support dollars were often applied unevenly across the state. The settlement requires that Support Services be available to all eligible Oregonians by the year 2009. The services are being phased in over the years through 2009. For more information on the Staley Settlement check the web site for the Oregon Department of Human Services or the Developmental Disabilities Coalition www.oregonddcoalition.org.
RCO staff currently consists of the following employees:
1 Executive Director
1 Business Manager
1 Assistant Director
3 Lead Personal Agents
13 Personal Agents
1 Fiscal Intermediary Accountant
2.75 Office Staff
.5 Community Development CoordinatorRCO Personal Agents are trained in the areas of identifying an individual’s needs and connecting them with local resources. One of the main components of self determination is that the customer may become the employer of those providing direct supports. In order to do this, personal agents must understand employer/employee responsibilities. Personal Agents have a well thought out and easily understood packet on employer responsibilities to present to customers using specialized fiscal intermediary services.
Funding requests are made by Personal Agents on behalf of our customers. Our Community Development Coordinator will try to find a donation or resource in the community to fill the request. If no such donation is found, an Emergency-Flex Fund form is submitted. Requests are granted by the Executive Director if the following conditions are met:
• Funds are available and within the budget established.
• The funds requested are for services and supports that are not covered by any other available governmental or community service.
• The request fulfills a part of an Individual Service Plan.
• The request is not in excess of $500 or the aggregate of funded requests for any individual shall not exceed $500 per year.If competing requests exceed the funds available, requests shall be prioritized in the following manner:
1. The request meets health/safety needs;
2. The request meets shelter needs;
3. The request promotes community inclusion;
4. All other needs that do not meet the first three criteria.Examples of items purchased with Emergency-Flex Funds:
Braille Machine, Fitness Membership, Bike, Uniform for Job, Apartment Key, Specialized Toilet Equipment, Used Computers, and mattressExamples of donated and referrals sought and received by community Development rather than using Emergency-Flex Funds:
Clothing, household Items, Bikes, Water Pix Toothbrush, and Steel-toed Boots & Rain Gear